A wedding shower is a wonderful way to honor the bride-to-be before she marries her true love. It is not only one of the first pre-wedding meetings for friends and family from both sides. But it is also jam-packed with exciting decor, refreshments, gifts, and games!
Note: Don’t forget to buy good bridal shower gifts and if you are late then go with these bridal shower gifts last minute for the bride.
Bridal showers are a long-standing wedding ritual that dates back to 16th-century Holland, when a young girl’s father refused to offer a dowry for a marriage he didn’t approve of.
The town residents banded together and provided little presents to assist her in establishing her house without the benefit of a dowry. The heart of the custom has held up well throughout time, and we now give presents for the home to newlywed couples.
As there are COVID situations for now you can also opt for a virtual bridal shower.
What is a Bridal Shower?
Bridal Showers are the custom of showering gifts, love, and blessings on the bride-to-be before she begins her married life. Bridal shower is the bride’s one day to relax and be pampered by her closest friends and family before her big day.
Games, activities, and beautiful clothing are all part of today’s bridal showers, which are designed to make her wedding the happiest day of her life.
Related: An experts guide on hosting a lingerie for bridal shower to answer your query about what is lingerie bridal shower?
Bridal Showers are typically planned by the bride’s closest relatives and bridesmaids, who are intimately familiar with her preferences. After the games and merriment, the wedding shower concludes with a delicious meal or brunch. Some bridesmaids decide to treat the bride to some delicious cocktails as well, since why not?
“Bridal Showers are daytime get-togethers thrown by the bride’s immediate relatives or friends. It is usual to give her gifts to help her adjust to her new surroundings.”
Why is the Bridal Shower Important?
bridal party are not mandatory. But they are a perfect way to show your love and affection for the bride. Weddings are such an emotional time that’s why showing small sweet gestures to the bride makes her feel special.
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If you’re a bride, then with a bridal shower
- You’re overwhelmed with affection / both from those who took the time and money to prepare your shower and from others who came to celebrate with you.
- You’ve gathered all of your favorite folks in one spot / you just want to take a moment for a big group hug. But don’t do it. It’s entirely up to you whether you do or don’t.
- It’s a part of the wedding where all you have to do is turn up and enjoy yourself/you don’t havhoste to send out invitations or worry about the planning and implementation. You’ve only just arrived. It’s fantastic!
- You get to see your new last name on the big screen
Related: See what kind of bridal shower games you should play in a bridal shower party?
Etiquette for a Bridal Shower
There is no such thing as a “bad” way to hold a bridal shower. However, this does not negate the existence of politeness norms.
Follow these etiquette tips to avoid committing a wedding shower faux pas.
When is the best time to have a bridal shower?
The bridal shower is usually held two to six months before the wedding. Choose a convenient date for both the bride and her chosen guests, whether that means hosting something a bit earlier or timing it to coincide with a journey home or another get-together, such as a bachelorette party in the evening followed by an afternoon shower.
Related: For selecting a theme for a bridal shower you can also opt for boho chic bridal shower ideas or brunch and bubbly bridal shower theme.
What is supposed to happen at a bridal shower?
“The host can arrange some amusing bridal shower games for the guests to play depending on the bride’s preference.”
We have some great bridal shower ideas. The basic format is typically the same:
- Food
- Beverages
- A chance for the bride to unwrap bridal shower gift in front of her guests
Incorporating activities into bridal showers is a growing trend. You might, for example, host a wine and paint day, host a tea party bridal shower or build your signage. However, the most typical showers still include breakfast or lunch in the afternoon. Like an afternoon tea party, some have a theme, although it isn’t needed.
Bridal shower activities are frequently played after lunch. Guests might be quizzed about the bride and groom using printed games in the bridal shower. Alternatively, the bride might be the centre of attention while the guests observe.
A quiz game is a fun and inexpensive choice. You can ask the bride the same questions you asked the groom. She needs to put a stick of bubble gum in her mouth for every one of her replies that differs from her fiancé’s. This might result in a mouthful of gum and a plethora of amusing photographs.
Related: Check what kind of bridal shower dresses are in trends to wear in summer and winter as a bride, guest and bridesmaid.
Play some pleasant music in the background while the bride opens her bridal shower gifts. Assign someone to jot down the presents and their givers to make thank-you notes easier. If the bridal shower activities are appropriate for the event area, they’re a terrific way to keep the celebration going.
- Who throws the bridal shower?
The maid of honour, close friends, bridal attendants, or bridesmaids frequently host the bridal shower. Regardless of who is hosting, make sure you communicate effectively so you don’t end up with two different showers. Traditional etiquette dictates that the mother or mother-in-law (or any other relatives) should avoid hosting since it may look that they are explicitly soliciting presents. Today, though, it’s far more usual and acceptable for anyone who wants to host to do so.
- Whom to Invite?
You want to be sure you’re not asking someone to the shower who isn’t also invited to the wedding, and the only way to do that is to acquire a copy of the wedding guest list. If the shower is a surprise, ask the bride’s mother or fiancé for a copy.
Remember to include the bride and groom’s close female relatives, as well as the whole wedding party and the bride’s close pals. While historically all women attend wedding showers, many are now coed gatherings that honour both the bride and groom, known as Jack and Jill showers.
Before deciding whether or not to include guys in the show, address the issue with the groom-to-be to ensure that he is comfortable attending a shower and, if the response is “yes,” request a suitable male guest list.
What to wear to a bridal shower?
“There isn’t a certain rule for what to wear to bridal shower at someone’s house, however; it is always preferable to dress up rather than down.”
A bridal party may be as formal or informal as you desire, but it’s a good idea to include some type of itinerary in the invitation. It may be more comfortable to arrive overdressed than underdressed if there is no indication of the event’s formality.
If you want your shower photographs to seem cohesive, think about what the attendees will be wearing and make a note of it somewhere in the invitation.
You can also choose a theme of the same bridal shower dresses for girls of the same age.
HOW TO PLAN A BRIDAL SHOWER CHECKLIST
One of the maids of honor’s main obligations is to provide a bridal shower. If you want to be remembered as one of the greatest brides of all time, you must organize your bridal shower carefully. However, it may be a difficult process with so many obligations and tasks to do.
So, here are a few pointers to assist you in completing your wedding shower preparation checklist. Maintaining a calm mind is a must before doing any significant endeavor. So, be cool and follow this wedding shower preparation checklist.
Note: Check out these 20 best wedding makeup products 2022 that you must have with your all the time on the wedding days.
- Make a note of the date
The first step is to set a date for the bridal shower and reserve a location. It’s acceptable if you want to do it in someone’s house. However, you’ll still need the date to start making plans for the rest of your trip.
So, chat to the bride, choose a date that she’ll be happy with, and schedule everything around that day. Get in touch with the venue coordinator as soon as possible to take advantage of any early-bird discounts available.
- Select a Bridal Shower Venue
Then decide where to host a bridal shower. The shower can be hosted in the bride’s hometown if she still lives close to her family. Is she a resident of another state? If the majority of the guests live nearby, it may still be more practical for the bride to drive to her shower rather than asking everyone to fly.
The exact placement is determined by the type of shower and the budget of the host. If the shower has a theme, it might be in a friend’s or family member’s house or backyard, at a neighbourhood restaurant, or somewhere more specialized such as a cooking school or a wine-tasting room.
- Selecting a Theme & Bridal Shower Decorations
While a specific theme for the shower is not required, it may assist to guide the planning process and create a more celebratory mood for all of the visitors. You may make your bridal shower theme as basic or as sophisticated as you like, but it should always represent the bride’s personality and hobbies.
See these 33 best bridal shower themes ideas you should consider while hosting a bridal shower.
To put it another way, if the honored guest of honor only wants to go bowling, don’t arrange an extremely formal cocktail party (and vice versa). Discuss potential themes with the bridesmaids until you find one that the bride likes.
To get you started, here are a few common bridal shower decorations and themes:
- Wine Taste Shower – A wine specialist will be on hand to provide a tasting of exquisite wines. This may be a fun evening, but be cautious if there will be minors around.
- Honeymoon-Inspired Theme — Create a theme for the shower based on the couple’s honeymoon destination, complete with food and entertainment.
Related: Get the complete list of 27 creative bridal shower food ideas to have at your party.
- A Couple’s Shower – Today’s showers aren’t simply for the bride. Include the groom and invite everyone to the celebrations, regardless of gender.
- The Spa/Makeover Shower — Pamper the bride and her guests with spa treatments and a glass or two of wine while being pampered and receiving wedding-day beauty suggestions.
- Make a Guest List
You get to choose the size of the party as the hostess. When preparing a wedding shower, your budget is crucial, therefore if you can only fit 10 guests in your flat, so be it. You should, however, inquire as to who the bride would want to invite. If the shower is smaller, she may wish to split her guests into two groups, one for business buddies and the other for family.
- Send Invitations
Whether you send out online invitations or conventional invitations in the mail, you should always request an RSVP so you can keep track of your guest list and be prepared. While printing the register on a wedding shower invitation is becoming more acceptable, it is still frowned upon. Either include a note with register information or expect people to inquire when they RSVP.
- Create a straightforward menu
You don’t need to offer steak or set up extravagant food stations while hosting a wedding shower. Appetizers, dinners, and/or sweets from the past will always suffice! Keep in mind that some visitors may have food limitations, so plan to provide an option that will satisfy everyone.
Serve a fruit salad with cupcakes, for example, so that vegans and gluten-free friends may still indulge in a sweet treat.
- Decide Games for Bridal Shower
Games have long been a part of bridal showers, and it’s a tradition that has luckily not died out. Your guests should be ready to let their hair down and laugh a little after a few cocktails, and nothing fosters discussion and laughter like a well-chosen game or two.
Again, keep the bride’s preferences and personality in mind while selecting games. Here are a handful of instances of how much fun you can have with the perfect distraction:
- Telephone Toast — To generate giggles and perhaps embarrassment, this whispering game depends on the garbling of muttered phrases (in a good way of course).
- Finish That Thought is a wedding – Guests are given cards with which to write their marital advice, and they must match the stupid and serious remarks to their writers. (It’s best to play with a drink.)
- Be the favorite hostess by greeting guests!
It’s not easy to be a good hostess. When you have guests around, you’re constantly ‘on.’ Make a point of smiling as you meet visitors, introducing yourself to anyone you don’t know, pointing out party essentials (such as where to put the gifts or where the restroom is), and overall taking care of people’s needs.
Reading the room is also an important part of being a cool hostess. Pay special attention to individuals who don’t know many people at the party and offer to photograph groupings of friends. Also adding some sweet gestures will be a good idea. Likewise, you can provide mini bridal shower gifts to the guests.
FAQ‘s
What is the difference between a bridal shower & a wedding shower?
The bride is usually the recipient of a bridal shower. This gathering is usually organized by a close friend of the bride and takes the place of the bachelorette party. On the other hand, a bridal shower is hosted for both the bride and the groom, with visitors of both sexes invited.
How much should I spend on a 2022 bridal shower gift?
The typical value range for a wedding shower gift is $25 to $75. The amount you are able or willing to spend will be determined by your budget and how important the bride is to you. Close relatives of the bride’s family frequently go above and beyond to get the perfect present.
How much should a bridesmaid spend on a bridal shower?
With that said, a wedding present purchased by the wedding party can cost up to $125 on average.If the bridesmaid is on a budget and splitting the gift costs, splitting the $125 in half would be a better option. This brings the total cost per present to roughly $60.There are many inexpensive presents to choose from on the market.
Because bridal shower presents are more exclusive to the bride, it may be appropriate to spend a bit less on them to spend a little more on a larger wedding gift. Because it is something that both the bride and groom will enjoy, the wedding gift is usually more expensive.
Do you send a gift to a bridal shower if you are not attending?
Unlike a wedding invitation, a bridal shower invitation does not obligate you to give a gift if you are unable to attend. “Buying a gift isn’t required if you can’t attend the shower, but it’s a nice gesture if you know the bride.
What do you bring as a gift to a bridal shower?
When you know what you’re searching for in a wedding shower present, it’s a lot of fun. Take into account the type of shower you’ll be attending. The bridal shower theme or style is frequently stated in the invitation. Take into account the bride’s wishes and demands as well. Is she requesting that you use a registry? Is there anything more profound than practical that she would prefer? Before you spend your money on something you don’t desire, think about all of these things.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Many wedding celebrations are leading up to the big day, and a bridal shower is one of the most enjoyable for all of the women participating.
What exactly is a bridal shower after everything is said and done? It’s a pre-wedding gathering of the bride’s closest relatives and friends for an afternoon of celebration in her honor. Before she marries, guests will share food and drink, offer gifts, play games, and mingle.
If you have any questions concerning the subject or etiquette of a shower, ask the mother of the bride or maid of honor. They’re probably the ones working behind the scenes to make sure the bride enjoys a one-of-a-kind party. And one more thing also see the best bridal shower makeup looks that would be perfect for you in the event.
